The Lusiad, or, Portugals Historicall Poem Written In the Portingall Language By Luis de Camoens; And Now newly put into English by Richard Fanshaw |
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| 6. | Sixth Canto. |
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 | The Lusiad, or, Portugals Historicall Poem |  |
Sixth Canto.
1
The Pagan King could never entertainThe Navigators well enough he thought,
The friendship of the Christian King to gain
Of men, whose courage had such wonders wrought.
It troubled him, his lot should be, to raign
So far from EUROPE, with all good things fraught:
And that his happy Station had not bin
Where Hercules the Mid-Land-Sea let in.
2
With Games, Masks, Revels, Gambals on the Green;With Moorish-Dances (their sport natural);
With jovial Fishings (such as Egipt's Queen
Pleas'd the out-witted Anthony withal,
When Carbonadoed Fish were hang'd unseen
On her dropt Hooks he treats the Portingall
Each day; with Bauquets, of unusual Fare;
With Frits, with Foules, with Flesh, with Fishes rare.
3
But now the Captain (seeing time spend fast,And that the fresh Wind wooes him to be gon)
From the indulgent Land taking in hast
Th'appointed Pilots, and Provision,
Resolves to quit it: of the Ocean vast
Having no little Portion yet to run.
His leave now takes he of the Pagan free,
Who prays from All a lasting Amitie.
117
4
He prays them more, that Port (such as it is)That all their Fleets would visit, when they pass:
For, greater good he doth not wish, then this;
To give such men his Realm, and all he has.
And whilst he breathes, whilst, what he has, is his;
Whilst the least sand is running in his Glass;
He will be always ready to lay down
For such a King, and People, Life, and Crown.
5
Gama went not behind, in Complement;And, weighing Anchor without more delay,
To the rich Kingdoms of the Orient
(Which he so long had sought) pursues his way.
Now a direct and certain Course he went:
The Fleet, this Pilot means not, to betray.
Which (therefore) from the hospitable shore
Goes now securer, then it came before.
6
The Oriental Billows they divideNow in the Indian Seas: and (spying than
Th'Alcove, whence Phebus rose as from a Bride)
See their desires fullfill'd within a span.
But spightful Thyoneus (grudging the Tyde
Of Happiness, which then to smile began
On Portingals, who well had earn'd the same)
Repines, fumes, curses, and with Rage doth flame.
7
He saw the Stars unanimous, to makeOf Lisbon, a new Rome; and that in vain
It was for Him to hope (alone) to shake
That, which the Supreme Power did ordain.
Desp'rate, in fine, Olympus doth forsake,
To seek below what There he could not gain.
Enters the humid Realm; and to the Court
Of Him, that bears the Trident, doth resort.
8
In the abstrusest Grottoes of the Deep,Where th'Ocean hides his head far under ground;
There, whence to play their pranks the Billows creep,
When (mocking the lowd Tempests) they resound,
Neptune resides. There, wanton Sea-Nymphs keep;
And other Gods That haunt the Seas profound:
Where arched Waves leave many Cities dry,
In which abides each watry Deity.
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9
The never fadom'd Bottom doth expandA Levell, gravell'd o're with Silver fine;
Where lofty Turrets rise from drayned Land,
Of Massive stuff, Transparent, crystalline:
To which, the neerer you shall hap to stand,
The less will you be able to define
If it be crystal which your Eye survays,
Or diamond, which cast such glorious Rays.
10
The Gates are Massive Gold, richly imbostWith ragged Pearlez in their Mother-shell;
In goodly Sculpture wrought, of wondrous cost,
On which vext Liber's eyes did feed and dwell.
Where first old Chaos (in it own selfe lost)
Varied with proper shadowes doth excell.
Then the Fovvr Elements (transcribed faire
From that foule) Copy in their Colours are.
11
There active Fire got highest on the wing,Which without matter did it selfe sustayn,
Till (to give Soule to ev'ry living Thing)
By bold Prometheus from the Sun twas tane.
Next subtle Ayre with the invisible Ring,
Gaping for places (importuning, vain)
Now vacant in the world, which that doth not
Step streight into, though nere so cold, or hot.
12
Warted with Mountains (then) was the low EarthIn her green gown shadow'd with fruitfull Trees:
Giving those Creatures, to which she gave hirth,
Such sustenance as best with each agrees.
The carved Water serves her for a Gyrth,
And brancht (like Veyns) ore all her Body is:
Innumerable sorts of Fishes breeding;
Men with her Fish, Earth with her moysturc feeding.
13
Another door upon it carved hasThe War, between the Gods, and Gyants bold,
Beneath great Etna crusht Tiphoius was,
Whence crackling flames in sulphur Batts are roll'd.
Neptune himself stood heer, of breathing Brass,
Striking the ground, in that contention old,
When the first Horse, to the rude world, gave Hee;
And Pallas the first peacefull olive-Tree.
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14
Lyeu.s's Choler would not let him stayTo view the rest; and, passing through this Gate,
The God, who (told of his Approach) did stay
At th'inner Court, receiv'd him there in state:
Accompanyed with Nymphs in bright Array;
Of whom, each seems to wonder, with her Mate,
To see the Water's King, paid one in fine,
Of many Visits made the King of Wine.
15
Neptune (quoth he) O! never think it strange,That Bacchus comes thy succour to implore:
“For highest pow'rs, and most secure of change,
“'Tis envious Fortune's pride, to triumph o're.
Call all thy Peers that in the Ocean range,
Ere more I speak (if thou wilt hear me more)
Down-weight of misery they shall discern.
Let them All hear the wrongs which All concern.
16
Neptune (presuming it some hideous thingHe would impart) doth Triton streight command
To call the Deities inhabiting
The frigid Waves, on one; and t'other hand.
Triton, who vaunts himself son of the King
By Salacee (ador'd in Lusus's Land)
Was a great nasty Clown with all that boast:
His Father's Trumpet, and his Father's Poast.
17
His thick bush-beard, and his long hair (which hungDangling upon his shoulders from his head)
Were spungy Weeds; so wet; they might be wrung:
Which never Comb seem'd to have harrowed.
The nitty points thereof, were tag'd, were strung
With dark blew Mussels, of their own filth bred.
He had (for a Montera) on his Crown
The shell of a red Lobster overgrown.
18
His Body naked, and his genitals,That he might swim with greater speed, and ease:
But with Maritine little Animals
By Hundreds, cover'd, and all hid, vvere these;
As Crayfish, Shrimps, and other Fish that cravvles,
(Receiving theirs from the pale Moon's increase)
Oysters, and Periwinckles vvith their slyme;
Snayles, vvith their Houses on their backs that climbe.
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19
His great wreath'd Shell, to his black mouth apply'de,With all the might he had, he now did sound;
Whose shrill and piercing noyse (heard far and wide
O're all the Sea) from wave to wave did bound.
Now all those Gods (without excuses) high d
To the bright Palace, from their Quarters round,
Of that moist God, who built the Walls of Troy,
Which angry Greeks did afterwards destroy.
20
Old Father Ocean first (with all the sonsAnd Daughters, he begat, inviron'd) went:
Nereus (That married was to Doris) runs,
Who peopled all the Crystal Element:
The Prophet Protheus (his Flocks left for once
To range the bitter Meade at full content)
He likewise came; but He already knew
What, Father Bacchus to the Ocean drew.
21
Another way came Neptune's snowy Wife(Uran and Vestas daughter soveraign)
Grave in her Gate (yet had her Graveness life)
And with a Face, that calmd the wand'ring Main.
A Robe of Lawn whose Spinster had a strife
With Her, That with Minerva strove in vain)
Of her bright limbs was the transparent Lid:
For they had too much beauty to be hid.
22
Fair Amphitrite (then the flow'rs in MayFresher, and sweeter) would not wanting bee:
The Dolphin (who advis'd her to obay
The love of the Seas King) with Her brought Shee.
The Sun in all his glory, yields the Day
To either's Eyes (more worth then all they see).
They marched hand in hand (an equal paire)
For Both, the Spouses of one Husband, are.
23
That Queen (who, flying Athamas run mad,Came so to compass an immortal State)
Went; and with Her her pretty Infant had.
(Him too, the Gods did to their Ranks translate)
Toying before his Mother tript the Lad
With painted Cockles, which salt Seas create:
Whom when the looser sand molests and harms;
Fair Panopea bears him in her Arms.
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24
Likewise that God, who had been once a Man,And, though a powerfull Hearb he chanc'd to tast,
Was chang'd t'a Fish; so from that loss began
A glorious life, turn'd Deitie at last;
Came adding water to the Ocean,
Still weeping the lewd Tricks by Circe past
On his lov'd Scylla (Hee belov'd by This):
“Hate, where it springs from love, so mortall is.
25
Seated (in short) the Powers that rule the seasIn the great Hall, majestick, and divine;
On gorgeous Cushions first the Goddesses,
The Gods in carved Chayres of crystall fine,
The King with gracious gestures All did please;
His Throne deviding with the King of Wine.
The House is filld with that rich sea-bred masse,
Which doth Arabian Frankinsence surpasse.
26
When now the whisprings of the Gods were ceastAnd ceremonies done between the Kings:
Burst Thyoneus began from hidden Breast
To powre the Cause out of his sufferings.
Knitting his brow a little (which confest
His leaded Heart hung heavy on the strings)
Hee, that with other's weapons he may slay
The men of Lusus, thus his cards did play.
27
Prince, who (of right) from one to t'other poleThe angry sea dost awe, and dost command,
Thou that all earthly creatures dost comptroll,
And bridlest Nations with a roape of sand;
And (Father Ocean) Thou whose Billows roll
About the world, and circumscribe the Land,
Least those meet Bounds which are for All decreed,
It's proper dwellers should presume t'exceed.
28
And you, Sea-Gods, that wont not to permitYour Kingdom's high perogatives be broke;
But, whoso dar'd to trespass upon It,
Felt, what it was your vengeance to provoke:
What tameness this? what dull lethargick Fit?
Who had such pow'r to stay your Anger's stroke,
Ready (with cause) upon mankind to fall,
Frayle as the Glasse, yet venturing at All?
122
29
You saw, with what unheard of InsolenceThe highest Heav'ns they did invade of yore:
You saw, how (against Reason, against sense)
They did invade the Sea with Sail and Oare:
Actions so Prowd, so daring, so immense,
You saw; and We see dayly more, and more:
That in few years (I fear) of Heav'n and Sea,
Men, will be called Gods; and but men, Wee.
30
You see a little Generation now(Call'd by the name of one that serv'd me too)
With haughty Bosom, with undanted Brow,
Both you, and me, and all the World subdue.
You see, your Sea with winged Oak they Plough.
Farther, then Roman Eagles ever flew.
You see, your Wealth how they propose to drayn,
Your Statutes cancel, and your walks profane.
31
When first the Myniæ went about (ye know)To cut a way through the forbidden Flood,
How Boreas, and his Fellow Aquilo,
(With all the rest) the Trespass then withstood?
If They so stormd, if they concern'd were so,
That, as their own, your wrong they understood;
You (whom it touches in a neerer way)
Why sit ye still? for what do ye delay?
32
Nor think (O Gods) that, for your sole concern,And for the great Affront which put I see
On you, I have forsook the Court Supern:
But for That likewise which is offer'd me.
For, all those Honours which my sword did earn,
When (as the World, and you, can witness be)
India I quell d, and quell'd the Orient,
I by this People see trod down, and rent.
33
For the High Ruler, and his Fates (who dealeThe under-world, as pleases best their mood)
Have markt these men for Glory, Pow'r, and Weale,
Greater then ever, in the Ocean-Flood.
And (Gods) from you I must not now conceale,
That they teach sorrow, ev'n to Gods. 'Tis good:
We too are slaves to their prepostrous Will;
Which gives Ills to the Good, Goods to the Ill.
123
34
Now therefore from Olympus am I tost,To seek some Cure, some Balsome for my wound:
To see, if that esteem, I there have lost,
May happily within your Seas be found.
More would have said: But Tears the passage crost,
Which (trickling down his Cheek in Ropes, that bound
His words) with suddain fury did inspire
And set the watry Deities on fire.
35
So rough the billows of their Anger went,So swiftly and so high their rage did mount;
That no mature advice it did consent,
Permit no pawse, no weighing, no discount.
Oraers from Neptune are already sent
To mighty Eolus, that without Count
He slipt the strugling Winds from their strong Caves,
And let no Vessel live upon the waves.
36
Protheus rose twice to speak, and went aboutHis judgement in the matter to propound:
Nor Any who were present, made a doubt
But that it was some Prophecy profound.
But still a rising tumult put him out,
And in their sence the Gods did so abound,
That Thetys stuck not to exclaime; Will you
Be teaching Neptune what he hath to do?
37
Then doth the proud Hippotades enlargeFrom their close prison the enraged Winds;
And them with animating words discharge
Against the Men of never-daunted minds.
For a thick clowd hides Heav'n (as with a Targe)
And Argus's hundred Eyes, that guild it, blinds.
The swelling blasts have in a trice o'rethrown
Tow'rs, Mountains, Houses.—But of that Anon.
38
Whilst in the Deep was held this Parlament,The wearied Fleet (yet free from sad dismay)
Before a gentle Wind pursuing went
Thorough the tranquil Ocean their long way.
That Time it was, when from the Orient
Removed is the Lamp that rules the Day:
Those of the first did lay them down to sleep,
And others come the second Watch to keep.
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39
Conquer'd they come with sleep, and (ill awake)Repose their nodding heads against a saile.
Their Cloathes (thin, thin) but weak resistance make
To the Night's Ayre, which blows a nipping Gale.
Yawning, they stretch their Limbs; themselves they shake;
With their Seal'd Eyes to ope can scarce prevaile.
Cures against sleep they practise, they devise:
Tell thousand Tales, tell thousand Histories.
40
What better spur (said one) to post away,Or pastime to deceive the hours, that creep;
Then by some pleasant Tale, wherewith we may
Knock off the leaden shackles of dull sleep?
Quoth Leonardo then (who, whilst a day
He hath to live, will faith to Cupid keep)
A pleasant Tale? then what can do so well
As one of Love? and That, my self will tell.
41
Reply'de Veloso; 'tis not fit, not just,To treat soft subjects in so hard extreams.
For a Sea-life (replenisht with disgust)
Permits not love, permits not melting Theames.
Our Story be of War, bloody, Robust;
For we (the Wefts, and Pilgrims of the streames)
Are onely born to horror, and distress:
Our future dangers whisper me no less.
42
To This they All agreed: and pray'd Velose,What he commended, that himself would doe.
I shall (quoth He); then listen to my Prose:
I promise you an old Tale, and a true.
And (to incite, with apt examples, Those
That hear me, great Beginnings to pursue)
Of our own Countrey-men shall treat my story:
And let it be the Twelve of England's glory.
43
When John the son of Pedro rul'd our Land(Temp'ring his People's mouths with a soft Bit)
After he had with a victorious Hand
From potent neighbour's jaws deliver'd it;
In merry England which, from Cliffs that stand
Like Hills of snow) once Albion's name did git)
Erynnis dire rank seeds of strife did sow,
Whence Lusitanian Lawrels chanc't to grow.
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44
'Twixt the fair damsels of the English Court,And Barons bold That did attend the same,
A hot dispute, beginning but in sport,
To end at last in down-right-earnest came.
The Courtiers (though the Courtship is but short
That gives reproachful terms to any Dame)
Said: They would prove, that such, and such of Them,
Had been too lavish of their Honor's gem.
45
And if with Lance in Rest, or Blade in Fist,To take their parts they had, or Knights, or Lords;
That They, in open Field, or closed List,
Would do them dye, with Spears, or else with Swords.
The weaker Sex (unable to resist
With deeds, and less to swallow such base words)
Condemning Nature, That deny'de them force,
Unto their Kin, and servants, had recourse.
46
But their Accusers (mark you?) being greatAnd potent in the Kingdom; neither Kin,
Nor humble servant, durst their Cause abet,
As their Fame's Champions, which they should have bin.
With beauteous Tears (which, from their blissful seat,
Might all the Gods to their assistance win)
Distilling down each Alablaster Cheek,
Unto the Duke Of Lancaster they seek.
47
This puissant Branch, of England's royal Tree,Had warr'd against Casteel with Portugall;
Where his Camrades's great Hearts he try'de did see,
And their good stars which bare them out in All;
Like proof of their respect to Dames had He,
When to that Land his daughter he did call;
With whose bright Beautie's beams our Monarch strook,
The vertuous Princess for his Consort took.
48
He (loath to give them ayd with his own Hand,Lest, so, he should foment a civil flame)
Says: when I past to the Iberian Land,
To the Castilian Crown to lay my clayme;
Such heavenly parts in Portingalls I scand,
Such Courtship, Courage, such high thirst of Fame,
That they alone (unless I much mistake)
With fire and sword your just defence can make.
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49
To them then (injur'd Ladies) if you pleaseAmbassadors from me (for you) shall go,
Who, with meet Letters and smooth Sentences,
The wrong which you sustain to them may show.
Let Letters likewise from your selves, your Seas
Of Tears indeare; and from your Pens let flow
Nectar of Words, to charm them to your Ayd:
For there's your Tow'r, There all your hopes are laid.
50
Th'experienc't Duke the Dames this counsell gave,And streight to them Twelve valiant Knights did name;
And, that each Dame may know her Champion brave,
Bids them cast Lots, their number being the same:
And, by this way of Lottry when they have
Descry'de which Knight belongs unto which Dame;
To her own Knight, in varied phrase, each writes;
The King, to All; the Duke, to King, and Knights.
51
The messenger arives in Portugal:The Novelty doth ravish all that Court:
The gallant King would be the first of All,
Might it with Regal Majestie comport.
Each Courtier longs, it to his chance would fall
In such a brave Adventure to consort;
And each one's glory doth in this consist,
To hear his name from the Lancastrian List.
52
In the old loyal City there, whence tookWas the eternal name of Portugall;
He, to the Rudder who thereof did look,
Bad fit a Frig at light, with Oare, and Sayle.
Armours and Cloathes (delays they cannot brook)
All, of the fashion that did then prevail,
The Twelve provide: Helms, Crests, Knots, Motto's neat.
Horses, and gay Caparisons compleat.
53
Leave from that King is had, their sayles to losenAnd pass out of the celebrated Dwere,
By Them that had the honor to be chosen
Of famous John Of Gaunt, who knew them there.
A better, or a worse, in all the dozen
(For skill, or force) there was not: Peers they were.
But one (Magryse) in whom new thoughts did rise,
Bespake his valiant Fellows in this wise.
127
54
Brothers in Arms, There hath been long in meA strong desire through forraign Lands to range;
More Streams, then Tejo's, and fresh Dwere's, to see;
Strange Nations, Cities, Laws, and Manners Strange.
Since in the World then many Wonders be,
And now I find this purpose cannot change;
I'l go before by Land (with your good leave)
To meet in England, traversing the Sleeve.
55
And if (arrested by his Iron MaceWho is the period of each mortal thing)
I hap to fail th'appointed time and place;
To you small damage can my failing bring.
Fight for your selves, and me to, in that case.
But in my aug'ring Eare a Bird doth sing;
Chance, Rivers, Mountains (all their malice meeting)
In London-Town shall not prevent our greeting.
56
This said, about his valiant Friends he cast(In fine) his Armes; and, licenc't, went his ways.
He past rough Leon: both Casteels he past:
Towns, won by Lusitanian Arms, survays:
Navarre: With Pyrenean Mountains (plac't
'Twixt Spain, and France, as if to part their Frays):
Survay'd (in fine) all that is rare in France,
To Belgias great Emporium doth advance.
57
Heer (whether sickness 'twere, or fresh Adventer,Advancing not) He many days did stay.
But our lev'n Worthies the salt Ocean enter,
And to the Northern Climate plough their way.
Arriv'd in the first Port, to the great Center
Of populous England (London) travail'd They:
Lodg'd by the Duke upon the Bank of Thames;
Eggd on, and complemented by the Dames.
58
The day was come, and now the hour at hand,When with the dozen English they must fight:
The King secur'd the Lists with an arm'd Band:
In compleat Steel begins to cloath each Knight:
Before each Dame (her Honour's Shield) did stand
A Spanish Mars in dazeling Armour bright:
Themselves in Colours, and in Gold did shine,
With thousand Jewels, joyful and divine.
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59
But she, to whom Magriso (who was notArrived) fell; in mourning Rayment came;
Because to have, it was her hapless lot,
No Knight, to be the Champion of her fame.
Howe're: th' Elev'n (before they leave the Spot)
That they will so behave themselves, proclame;
As that the Ladies shall victorious be,
Though of their number wanted two or three.
60
Upon a high Tribunal took his placeThe English King, with all his Court about.
The Combattants by Three and Three did face,
And fowre, and fowre, their Foes; as it fell out.
The Sun, from Ganges, till he ends his Race,
Sees not another Twelve more strong, more stout,
More highly daring, then those English were,
Who the lev'n Portingalls confronted there.
61
The golden Bitts the foaming Palfreys champ:Upon the glitt'ring Armes, the Sun curvets,
As when roll'd Cakes of Ice reflect his lamp,
Or (mingling Rays) on Daneers gems it beats.
Now in the Ladyes's hearts some little damp
(The Troops prepar'd to charge) the odds begets
Of Twelve t'elev'n; when (Loe!) incontinent,
A murm'ring uproare round the Scaffolds went.
62
Unto that common Center, where the RoutBegan this tumult, ev'ry Face inclines.
Enters a Knight on Horse-back, arm'd throughout,
As one, who battail presently designes:
Salutes the King; the Dames; faceth about,
And, with th' Elev'n, the great Magriso joynes.
His greedy Arms upon his Friends he throws
(Sure Card) to lay them next upon his Foes.
63
Then she that well perceiv'd this was the KnightWho came her honour to defend and rayse,
Cloathes too with Helle's Fleece; which (more then bright
Vertue) the brutish soule loves, and obays.
The signall giv'n, the Trumpets blasts, incite
The warlick minds, inflam'd with rage and praise.
Spurrs are clapt to, Reyns slackned in a trice,
Spears coucht in Rest, Fire from the struck ground flies.
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64
The furious Genets seem, in their Career,To make an Earth-quake with their thund'ring Hooves.
The Shock, in All that then Spectators were,
At once Fear, Pleasure, Admiration, mooves.
This, doth not fall, but flye (dismounted cleer);
That, Steed, and all (He better Herseman prooves):
One, his white Armour in Vermillion washes:
One, with his Helmet's plumes his horse-croop lashes.
65
There fell asleep for ever, more then one,And a short step from life to death did make:
Here, runs a Horse (the Man strook down) alone:
There, stands a Man, whose Horse the Foe down strake.
The English Honor tumbles from it's Throne:
For two or three of them the Lists forsake.
With Shields, Arms, Maile, Those who to Arms appeale,
And Hearts of Spanish mettle, have to deale.
66
To lay out words in counting ev'ry gash,Each cruel thrust in that most bloody Fight,
Is of those Prodigals of Time, and Trash,
That tell you stories which they dreamt last night.
Suffice it, I inform you at one dash,
Through courage high, through never-equall'd might,
The Victory went on the Ladies's side:
Ours crop the Bays, and They are justifide.
67
With Balls the Duke, with Feastings, and with joy,Treats the twelve Victors in his Palace faire;
With Cooks, the Bevy of bright Dames imploy
Nets, Hounds, and Haulks, in Water, Earth, and Aire.
For These, their brave Compurgators, would cloy
Each day, and hour, with thousand banquets rare,
Whilst they in England are content to roam,
Without reverting to their dearest Home.
68
But great Magriso (if we trust reports)Great things abroad still greedy to behold,
Clung to those parts: where at the Gallick Courts
Highly he serv'd the Flandrian' Countess bold.
For there (as one unpractis'd in no sports,
To which Thou Mars inur'st thy Schollers old)
He, hand to hand a French-Man in the Field
(Like Rome's Torquatus, and Corvinus) kill'd.
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69
Another of the Twelve launcht out, intoHigh Germany: where with an Alman He
Had a fierce Combat, who by means undue
Thought to have shorn his thred of destinie.
Veloso come to a full point; the Crew
Pray him, he would not with such brevitie
Pass the French Duel, but be more exact
Therein: as likewise, in the German Fact.
70
Just here (to drink his words, they list'ning All)The Master (Loe! (who in the Skye did peepe)
His whistle sounds. From ev'ry Corner crawle
The Saylors, half-awake; and half-asleepe;
And, for the wind augments, he bids them fall
The Top-sayles, climbing to the Scuttle steep.
Awake (he said) ope, and unseale, your Eyes:
From yon black clowd, ye see, the Wind does rise.
71
Not fully lor'd the windy Top-sayles wereWhen a great Gust upon a suddain came.
Strike, cry'd the Master, (so that all might hear)
Strike, strike, the Main-sheet; thrice he did exclame.
The hasty winds (for Tyrants have no Eare)
Ere struck it could be, rushing thwart the same,
Rend it to rags, with such a hideous rash,
As if (the World destroy'd) the Poles did clash.
72
Then did the Men strike Heav'n with a joynt-groane,Themselves with horror struck, and pale dismay:
For (the Sayle split) the Vessel, hanging prone,
A pow'r of Water scoops up from the Sea.
Lighten (the Master cryes with mournful tone)
Lighten the Ship: if ye would live, obay,
Run others to the Pump (w'are at the Brink
Of perishing) unto the Pumpe: We sink:
73
Unto the Pumpe th'undanted Soldiers ran:To which no sooner come, their parts to do:
But the Ship (stagg'ring like a drunken Man)
Their heels tript up, them to the Larbord threw.
Not three the sturdiest of the Saylors can
Manage the Helm, with all their strength put to.
The Ship is bound with Ropes in every part:
The Land-men lose their strength, Sea-men their Art.
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74
Such the impetuous winds, that to have shownMore force, and fury, they could not devise;
Had they at once from all the Quarters blown
To throw down Babeli, which did threat the skyes.
The Ammirall upon the overgrown
Mountains of water, shrinks into the size
Of her own cock-boat: wondring her selfe, how
She did to live in such a sea till now.
75
The second ship (in which was Paul De Game)Had her main mast snapt in the midst and broke:
The people in her (almost drown'd) the name
Of Him, that came to save the world invoke,
With like vain Ecchoes to the Ayre, exclaime
In the Third, all Coellios daunted folk;
Although that master so good order took,
That, e're the storm ariv'd; her sayles were strook.
76
Now All to Heaven are hoysted by the furyAnd rage of Neptune, terrible and fell:
Now to the bottom of his waves All hurry,
As if their keels would knock the Gates of Hell.
The East, VVest, South, and Northern winds (to woory
The world by turns) from ev'ry corner swell.
Her self with Torches the deformed Night
(With which the Pole is all on fire) doth light.
77
The Halcion along the ratling shoreWith strayned voyce cryes in a dolefull Key,
Rubbing with this the overplayst'red soare
Of her own loss; by like tempestuous sea,
The amorous Dolphins hide them, which before
Did friske and dance about the watry sea;
Flying the cruell storm in Caves obscure,
Nor in the very bottom are secure
78
Never such red-hot Thunder-bolts were made,Rebelling Gyants to confound and awe,
By that foule Smith, who (by his faire wife pray'd)
Forg'd a rich Armour for his son in law:
Nor ever (by the Thunderer displayd)
That frighted paire such flakes of lightning saw
In the great Flood (they only left to mourn)
Who stones to people (a hard race) did turn.
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79
How many mountains did the waves uncrown,Bouncing against them like a batt'ring Ram!
How many aged Trees the wind rusht downe,
Which by the Cable-roots at once up came!
Little thought They, the earth swept with their crowne,
To turn their Heels to Heav'n in the low dam,
As little thought the sands, which there were hid,
To floate upon the top, as then they did.
80
Vasco De Gama (seeing his Hopes crost,Just at the Butt and end of his desire,
Seeing the Billowes now to Hell goe post,
Now with fresh fury unto Heav'n aspire:
Confus'd with horrour giving All for lost,
Seeing no humane Fence against such Ire)
To that High Povv're (who is the sov'rain Ayd,
And can Impossibilities (thus pray'd.
81
Protector of the Quires Angelicall,Whom Heav'n, and Earth, and angry seas obay;
Thou, who the Read-sea mad'st a double wall,
Through which thy flying Isr'ell to convay;
Thou, who didst keep and save thy servant Paul
From open Rocks, and Shelvs that hidden lay.
And savd'st (with His) from Cataracks down hurl'd
The second Planter of the drowned World:
82
If we have past new dangers numerousOf other Scylla's and Charibdesses;
Other dire Syrts, and Quicksands, infamous
Acroceraunian Rocks in other seas;
Why, in the Close, doest thou relinquish us?
Why, throw us off, after such scapes a These,
If with our labours thou art not offended,
If thy sole service be thereby intended?
83
O happy men, whose lot it was to dyeOn whetted point of Mauritanian Lance;
Whilst, smear'd with beawteous dust of Affrick
The Christian Faith they (fighting did advance
Whose glorious deeds remain in History,
Or carv'd in everlasting Verse perchance,
Who losing a short life; a long, did git:
Death sweetned with the Fame attending it.
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84
Whilst this he says, contending Winds (that roareLike two wild Bulls when one with t'other copes)
Augment the horrid Tempest more and more,
And (ratling) whistle through the Spiny Ropes.
The flashing Light'ning never does give o're;
The thund'ring such, that there are now no hopes
But that Heav'n's Axles will be streight unbuilt:
The Elements at one another tilt.
85
But, see, the amorous star, with twinkling Ray,Conspicuous in the Eastern Hemisphere!
Fair Harbinger, and Usher of the Day,
It visits Earth, and Sea, with forehead cleare.
She, from whom arm'd Orion slinks away,
And who this Star sits guiding in her Spheare;
Spying what Risk her deare Armada ran,
At once with Anger, and with feare, grew wan
86
Here hath been Bacchus (says she) I am sure:Will he ne're leave this rancour? but in vain.
He shall not wag the Ruine to procure
Of mine, but I will have him in the Train.
She stoops like Lightning from Olympus pure
Upon the troubled Kingdom of the Mayn;
Her Nymphs to crown them (as for wagers) bids
With waking Roses that new ope their lids.
87
With thousand-colourd Garlands she commandsTheir flowing locks a little be comptroll'd:
(Who would not judge, Love there, with his own hands,
Inamell'd painted flow'rs upon true gold?)
Her purpose is, to fetter in those bands
Th'inamourd Winds, where there they wander bold:
The Faces of those loved Nymphs to shew them
(More faire then Stars) to charm and to subdue them.
88
And so it prov'd. For she no sooner did,But presently they faint, they dye away.
Under their wings their bashful heads they hid:
In humble posture at those feet they lay.
The slip, Those take them up in; is the thrid
Of that bright Hair, which scorns the mid-day's Ray.
Then, to her servant Boreas, thus did say
His sweet and bosom friend, Orythia.
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89
Fierce Boreas, This is not the way to proveThat e're thou lov'dst, as thou pretend'st to doe;
For meek, and soft as his wings down, is Love:
And fury ill beseems a Lover true,
Either this madness from thy mind remove.
(What shall I say? couldst thou indure a shrew?
I shall be frighted with it, wee must sever:
“Feare choler may ingender, but love never.
90
Fayre Galatea likewise lays the caseTo blustring Notus, who, full well she knows,
Hath many a long sigh fetcht for that sweet Face,
And is at her devotion doth suppose.
The Raunter (scarce believing such a grace)
His heart, too ample for his bosome grows.
The pleasure of his Mistresse to fullfill,
He thinks it a cheap bargain, to sit still.
91
The others take the other winds aside,And her too boystrous lover each reproves.
They give them to the Queen of Beautie, tyde,
Calme as the Lambs and gentle as her doves.
She gives them back to them, and (their faith tryde)
Promis'd return eternall of their loves:
Worn on the Nymphs's white hands, e're thence they stir,
In the whole voyage to be true to Hir.
92
Now rising Sol with gold those Mountayns lipsWhich Ganges (murmuring) washes: when a Boy
From the tall Am'rall's scuttle shews the shipps
Land, to the prow; with that (late storm's Annoy,
And halfe their Voyage, over (each heart skips,
Repriev'd from its vain fears. For now with joy,
The Pilot (whom Melindians to them put)
Cryes: if I err not, Land of CALICUT.
93
This is that Land (I'm sure) for which y'are bound:This, the true India, which we see before:
Then (if your vast desires one world can bound)
Quiet your Hearts, ye have what ye explore.
Now Gama could not hold, when as he found
(To his high joy) the Pilot knew the shore,
With Knees sticht to the decks, Hands spread to Heaven,
Eternall thanks by him to God are given.
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94
Thanks he did give to God (and well be might)Who was not onely pleas'd, to Him to show
That Land, which he had sought through so great fright,
And for the same such shocks did undergo:
But snatcht him with strong Hand that very night
From watry Grave, through winds that raged so,
Through Thunder's stroke, through blasting Lightning's beame
As one awak't out of some horrid dreame.
95
By dreadful dangers, by such Brunts as these,By such Herculean labours, and vast toyles,
They That in Glorie's Schools take their degrees,
Acquire immortal Lawrels and fat spoyls;
Not wholly leaning, against rotten Trees
Of ancient Houses, not, on empty Styles;
Not, on rich Couches, wrapt in Sables soft,
Of the Muscovy Merchant dearly bought.
96
Not, by new-fangled dishes exquisite;Not, by eternal Visits tedious;
Not, by successive pleasures infinite,
Effeminating Bosomes generous;
Not, by a never quenched Appetite:
Whereby, old Wantons Fortune makes of us
To that degree, We know not how to rise,
Or step, to any Vertuous Enterprise.
97
No, but by tearing out of Horror's mouthHonours, which we may truely call our owne;
By cloathing Steel, incountring Hunger, Drowth,
VVatchings, high winds, and Billows overgrown;
Conqu'ring dull cold, in Bosome of the South,
T'other extreme of the inflamed Zone;
Gulleting in, corrupt and putrid meat,
The Spice, and Sawce, with which the Valiant eat.
98
And, by accustoming a Face (where doubtSate once) secure, serene, fearless of Harm,
To march through Bullets whizzing round about,
And taking here a leg, and there an Arm.
These (Honour's Brawn) make a man proof throughout,
Make him scorn Mony, and false Honour's charm:
Money, and Honours, which light Fortune made;
Not Vertue; who is just, solid, and stayd.
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99
Shee, shapes an understanding round, and cleer,Experience the Hammer and the File:
Shee constant sits (as in a Throne or Spheare)
Regarding busie Mortalls with a smyle:
Shee (where discretion doth a Kingdom steer,
Nor partiall Favour merit doth beguile)
Is suddainly caught up, High Rooms to fill:
Not, by her seeking; but, against her will.
End of the sixth Canto.
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